King reigns supreme in Kaitaia Challenge

REGAL BEARING: Owen Finlayson and King won the Kaitaia leg of the Tux Yarding Challenge on Saturday.

Owen Finlayson could afford to grin on Saturday afternoon.

Sitting on the bleachers of the grandstand at the Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds, the Maungakaramea man and his dog King had just taken out first place in the Kaitaia leg of the Tux Yarding Challenge with a remarkably high-scoring 99-point run.

Admitting his wife Lynette actually claimed ownership of King, Finlayson noted this year's top dog was sired by Neville Child's Deal who he described as "best sire in New Zealand" and had been on form all week. Saturday's result saw the pair qualify to represent Northland at the North Island final of the series in the King Country next month.

It was a very memorable Tux Yarding Challenge for Kaitaia with a record field of 119 entries in the heading event along with the usual numbers in the accompanying Tux Handy Dog huntaway event (run on Saturday only). Conditions on the first day which saw over 60 runs completed were generally gloomy and damp conditions but cleared on Saturday. The top five placegetters from each day advanced to the run-offs on Saturday afternoon.

Event spokesperson Merv Cameron noted King's 99 pointer was indicative of the quality shown in this year's challenge. Cameron himself scored 98.5 points with Clyde to qualify for the run offs, Far North ex-pat Leo Jecentho advanced on the back of a 99 point run with Cap, while a relative newcomer to the scene, Laura Geering from the UK, and her dog Prince also impressed by scoring 99 and 97.5 points in qualifying and the run-off respectively.

However, it was Finlayson and King who emerged untouchable, Cameron noting the pair took full advantage of being given a trio of sheep which just "flowed" and kept them "going steadily" from start to finish.

Each triallist and dog in the yarding challenge had 11 minutes to walk three sheep around a course consisting of a bridge, various gates and a cross section with the aim of finally penning them. However, each run was judged more on its quality rather than the time taken.

"All triallists start on 100 points, [but bad] sheep can cost you points, the dog can cost you points, and the man can cost you points," said Cameron, adding the hosts were widely applauded for their hospitality and organisation in running what many visiting competitors described as the best leg of the nationwide series. A full round-up, results and more images from the event will feature in Thursday's edition.